Prison Hunger Strike Ends

FLORIDA - The State - In Brief

February 11, 2004

RAIFORD -- A 10-day hunger strike over conditions at Florida State Prison's disciplinary wing ended Tuesday as the last holdout ate his lunch, a prison official said.

Ronald Clark, 36, sentenced to death for a 1990 Duval County slaying, refused breakfast Tuesday but resumed eating at noon, said Sterling Ivey, a Department of Corrections spokesman. He had been transferred Sunday to Union Correctional Institution, shortly after he became the last inmate still participating in the strike, so officials could monitor his condition.

It began Feb. 1 when eight inmates on Q wing at Florida State Prison refused food. They demanded more exercise time; availability of books, magazines and newspapers; the ability to visit with and make telephone calls to family and friends; more food; the ability to purchase shampoo, mouthwash and deodorant; and the issuing of warmer clothing in winter months.

Q wing holds 24 inmates, who are considered by the DOC as the worst of the worst prisoners. Their cells are directly above the state's execution chamber.